Ten people were injured after a car crashed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights supporters in Newcastle, New South Wales, on Saturday morning, prompting a major emergency response.
The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. local time near Newcastle Link Road in Wallsend, where a large crowd had gathered to farewell the Newcastle Knights rugby league team before their National Rugby League grand final against the Sydney Roosters.
New South Wales Police said an 18-year-old man who was driving the vehicle was arrested at the scene. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Initial police assessments indicated that the incident was not believed to be terrorism-related.
Two Injured Critically
Among the 10 people injured, a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were reported to be in critical condition. The remaining eight injured people were in stable condition after being taken to hospital, according to police and emergency-service updates.
The injured included children, with a two-year-old girl and another five-year-old girl among those taken to John Hunter Hospital. Emergency crews, including multiple ambulances and helicopters, responded to the scene.
Crowd Had Gathered for Rugby Team Farewell
Thousands of Newcastle Knights supporters had gathered along the streets to see the team off ahead of Sunday’s grand final in Sydney.
According to local officials and witnesses cited by Australian media, the vehicle appeared to lose control before striking people in the crowd. Newcastle Mayor Gavin Morris said the driver appeared to have been excited about the team and was revving the vehicle before the crash, although the circumstances remain under investigation.
The crowd reportedly provided assistance to injured people before emergency services arrived. Police later removed the driver and two other people from the vehicle as tensions rose at the scene.
Police Investigation Underway
The 18-year-old driver was taken into custody and underwent mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Police said the Crash Investigations Unit was examining the incident, with further charges possible as the investigation progresses.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed sympathy for those injured and thanked emergency workers and police for their response.
The incident disrupted the planned route of the Newcastle Knights team bus, with the club saying that public safety was the priority.
Authorities have not indicated that the crash was a targeted attack. The investigation into exactly how the vehicle entered the crowd remains ongoing.
Source attribution: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Associated Press (AP), NSW Police and other Australian emergency-service reporting.
